Vaporizer for internal combustion engines



Jan. 2, 1934. F. H. ROTH ,7

' VAPORIZER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE;S

V Fi1eci May 20.1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 2, 1934. F. H. ROTH VAPORZER FOR 'INTERNAL comavsnou ENGIES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patei1ted Jan. 2, 1934 PATENT OFFICE varomzna FOR 'INIEBNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Fred 11. toth, Chicago, 11]. Application May 20.1931. Serial No. 538,778

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a vaporizer for automatically supplying water vapor in the form of steam to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in quantities commensiuate with.the vaporized fuel as admitted and controlled by the throttle.

Various systems for vaporizing the water and admitting it in proper quantities have been developed and used in the past, but these have rYroved abortive in most instances due to inherent structural deiects.

This invention accomplishes the desired results by the utilization of time-tested scientific principles and methods, simplicity of construction being one of the outstanding characteristics.

The water utilized may be taken from the cooling system and freezing in winter would be obviated by anti-ireeze solution in the cooling system. The provision of a separate reservoir' of water, would, however, in no way change the specification, as the source of water is immaterial.

It is a further object of the invention to enable higher compression to be used and heavier loads to be carried without detonation.

Another object of the device is to remove existing carbon deposits within the combustion chamber and preve'nt new deposits from forming.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate the thinning of the motor cil caused by imperfect combustion et the explosive mixture and thus eliminate piston and ring friction due to such thinning.

Still another object is to eliminate carbon knocks and pre-ignition by introducing water vapor into the explosive mixture.

It is an object of the invention to secure such an explosive mixture as will eliminate valve grinding or greatly defer the necessity for grinding.

The application of this vaporizer to an internal combustion engine will materially lengthep the useful life of the engine.

It is an object of the invention to provide an automatic vaporizer that can be easily manufactured and expeditiously and economically installed on internal combustion engines.

Other and further important objects' of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an internal combustion angine equipped with a vaporizerembodying the preser1t invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of said engine taken substantially on. the line lIII cf Figure 1. 4

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the vaporizer as mounted.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the vaporizing chamber taken approximately on line IVIV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view through the vaporizing chamber taken substantially on the line VV of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the vaporizing chamber showing a modified design in which a float is substituted for the water valve control thermostat.

Figure 7 is a vertical cross sectional view through the vaporizing chamber of Figure 6 taken substantially on the line VIIVII of Figure 6.

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention there is shown a vaporizing chamber 1 mounted on the exhaust manifold 2 of an internal combustion engine.

In the top of the chamber 1 is a Water controlling member 3 composed of a nipple 3 and 30 an elbow 7 and having a passage 4 extending through the nipple 3 and joimng et passage 6 at right angles therto in the elbow 7. The ni;ple 3 has a port therein fitted with a valve 5 actuated by a thermostat 5 mounted within the chamber. In the top of the passage 4 of the member 3 is a metering valve 8 controlling the junction et passages 4 and 6, said metering valve being actuated b a lever 9 connected by a rod 10 With the fuel control rod 11.- The passage 6 in the I elbow 7 is connected With the water jacket 12 of the motor by a tube 13 and a stop cock 14.-

Also inserted in the top of the vaporizing chamber 1 is an air controlling member 15 (Figs. 4 and 5), contiining an air chamber 16 which has at its port of.entry into said vaporizing chamber a thermostatic valve 17 controlled by a. thermostat 17 and is controlled at its air inlets 18 by a hand adjusted needle valve 19 provided with a look nut 20.

Extending from the side of the vaporizing chamber 1, at a point near the top thereof, to the intake manifold 21 of the motor, is a 'suctien tube 22.

In the operation of the vaporizer, water enters 105 the vaporizing chamber 1 through the member 3. The quantity of water entering the chamber is controlled primarily by the metering valve 8 operating simultaneously and in accordance with the fuel-throttle. This valve is set so that the 11 chamber maximum amount of water is admitted to the passage 4 when thethrottle is wide open and the minimum amount when the throttle is in position for idling speed. Entrance into the vaporizing chamber from the passage 4 is regulated automatically by the thermostatic valve 5, the port being completely closed when the engine is cold and a rich starting mixture is desired. As the thermostat 5 reacts to the heat imparted by the exhau'st manifold, the valve 5 gradually opens and admits.water to the chamber. There is thus obtained by means of the metering valve 8 and the thermostatic valve 5, a positive automatic control of the water entering the vaporizing chamber.

A similar dual positive control over the supply of air to the vaporizing chamber is had by means of the needle valve 19 and the thermostatic valve 17. Entry of air to the air chamber 16 is ob-:

tained through the ports 18 and is regulated by the needle valve 19. The thermostatic valve 17 determines the air admitted to the vaporizing chamber from the air chamber 16, it being fully closed when the engine is cold and a rich starting mixture is desired and opening gradually as the thermostat 17 reacts to the heat within the imparted thereto by the exhaust manifold.

The suction of the engine draws steam from the vaporizing chamber through the tube 22 into the intake manifold at a central point immediately above the butterfiy valve of the carburetor where it is mixed with the carburetted fuel to produce a more highly combustible explosive charge.

A modification of this device as heretofore described consists of the substitution of a fioat valve for the thermostatic valve 5 in the member 3. 'This is shown in Figures 6 and 7, the fioat 23 actuating the valve 24 and keeping the water in the vaporizing chamber at a constant level.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided an improved and simplified vaporizing device capable of supplying steam to internal combustion engines in quantities commensurate with the fuel mixture and operating conditions.

.1 am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

1 claim as my invention:

'1. In combination with an internal combustion engine including its exhaust and intake manifolds and fuel throttle means, means mounted on the exhaust manifold to derive heat therefrom and aftording a vaporizing chamber, a water inlet to said means, an air.inlet theret0, a vapor outlet therefrom, a metering valve for the water inlet, means for controlling said metering valve from the fuel throttle means, a thermostatic valve in the water inlet between the chamber and said metering valve, a rr1anually operated valve for controlling the air inlet, a thermostatic valve in the air inlet, means connecting the chamber with a water supply, and means for conducting vapor produced in the chamber to the engine intake manifold.

2. In a vaporizing device for internal combustion engines, means afiording a vaporizing chamber, a water inlet tosaid chamber and an air inlet thereto, a thermostatic Valve in each inlet, and an outlet suitably connected with the inlet manifold of the engine. i

3. In a vaporizing device, a vaporizing chamber and a water intake member having a port, a valve in said chamber for controlling said port, a thermostat mounted within the chamber for actuating said valve, 3. metering .valve in said water intake member, and a lever and 1od connection with the main fuel throttle for actuating said metering valve.

4, In combination with an internal combustion engine including its exhaust and intake manifolds and fuel throttle means, means mounted on the exhaust manifold to derive heat therefrom and aifording a vaporizing chamber, a water inlet to said means, an air inlet thereto, a vapor outlet therefrom, a metering valve for the water inlet, means for controlling said metering valve from the fuel throttle means, a fioat valve in the water inlet between the chamber and said metering valve, a manually operated valve for controlling the air inlet, a thermostatic valve in the air inlet, means connecting the chamber with a water supply, and means for conducting vapor produced in the chamber to the engine intake manifold.

5. In a device of the character described, a vaporizing chamber, a water inlet to said chamber, an air inlet thereto, a water vapor outlet therefrom, a fioat valve for said water inlet, and a thermostatic valve within said chamber for said air inlet.

6. In a device of the character described, a vaporizing chamber, a water inlet thereto, a fioat valve in said chamber for the water inlet, an air inlet member having an air chamber and a passage therefrom to said vaporzing chamber and a port giving access to the atmosphere, a needle valve for controlling said port, and a thermostatic valve controlling the passage between said air chamber and said vaporizing chamber.

7. In a vaporizer, a vaporizing chamber Suitable for mounting on the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, a water reservoir, a water intake control member between said rescrvoir and said vaporizing. chamber, a fioat valve within said chamber for controlling water passage thr0ugh said water intake member, an air intake control member, and a connection between the chamber and the intake manifold of the engine.

FRED H. ROTH. 

